Sanderling Sanderling

1. Very pale, almost white plumage in winter with a dark shoulder patch

2. Distinctive "bicycling" leg action when running along the beach

3. Short, straight black bill and black legs

Sanderlings are long-distance migrants, breeding in the High Arctic and visiting New Zealand during our summer. Their unique feeding strategy involves running in and out with the waves, quickly probing the wet sand for small invertebrates. While not currently threatened in New Zealand, they face challenges from habitat loss and human disturbance on beaches globally.

Look for sanderlings on sandy beaches and tidal flats around New Zealand's coastline. They're most active during daylight hours, especially at low tide when they can be seen frantically chasing the waves to grab exposed prey. Favored spots include long, open beaches where they often form small flocks. Tip: Focus on the water's edge where you'll see their rapid back-and-forth movement as they dodge incoming waves.

Sanderlings have been regular summer visitors to New Zealand for thousands of years, making them a familiar sight to generations of beachgoers. While not deeply embedded in Māori culture like some native birds, their predictable annual arrival marks the changing of seasons and the rhythm of coastal life in Aotearoa.